 ?? |
| ?? |
The religious community in Barbados will soon have another public forum where they can exchange views on issues and challenges confronting the society and make recommendations to Goverment on the way forward.
This will take the form of a Religious Summit which will be held on Friday, April 13, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Its theme is The Role and Responsibility of Religion in Barbados: An Examination of the Issues confronting us as a Nation.
Approximately 175 people are expected to participate in the discussions which will examine Family Life and Religion, Human Sexuality, Religion and Superstition or Evil, and Crime and Society. The conference will cater to all religious organisations in Barbados and they have been encouraged to include women and youth in their delegations.
This meeting is being organised by the Ministry of Family, Culture, Sports and Youth and, according to the Minister with that portfolio, Stephen Lashley, "it comes against the backdrop of increasing secularisation, crime and deviant behaviour being exhibited by some segments of the population".
Mr. Lashley continued: "There is a need for a multi-dimensional approach to address these and other issues impacting the Barbadian society. Therefore, the summit is expected to address and clarify concerns from the religious community’s perspective, and determine the strategy for the way forward."
He disclosed that "the outcome of the high-level talks will be used in an upcoming national consultation on the society which is being planned for early July of this year".